Sitting on my floor on a Sunday Night

I know, I know, I know. You've ALL been frantically checking multiple times per day to see if I've posted anything new; and until NOW you've been disappointed. Well this update will have to be a text only update (as it will take forever to upload all the photos at the hostel) but I will strive to be as interesting as I can.

The word for the past week has been 'flexible'. Our schedules (if you can call them that) change almost instantaneously and each time is some incredible mini-adventure waiting to happen.

Tuesday and Thursday we were given incredible tours of the Architecture and history of Sydney by Eoghan. Everyone was impressed with his knowledge of the area.

Wednesday, we had class and then went to this great vietnamese restaurant with our professors, some local (and famous) artists, Brian Zulaikha (of Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects) and Paul Pholeros an architect (more on him later). It was pretty incredible.

Friday, we had twin artists, a group called matchbox, talk to us about ARIs (Artist Run Initiatives). And as was true to the flexible nature of the week, they took us around on a mini tour of the area to see some local ARIs. They were so nice and really excited about our project. We're going to a tour that they're giving next Saturday.

Saturday we were given a tour of Paddington Reservoir by the head architect of the project, Tim Greer, of Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects (they really are a cool firm, and such nice people). Tim was very generous with his time, especially on a Saturday and we learned a lot of really great behind-the-scenes info about the project.

Today (Sunday) a group of us went and did some exploring. We saw Darlington Harbor, Hyde Park (and people playing chess), and the botanical Gardens. The weather was great all day but right as it was getting dark we saw some amazingly cool storm clouds roll in from the west (complete with huge rainbow). We were up on the hill and it started pouring so we took shelter under some huge fig trees, while watching the sun set over the harbor (complete of course with the Opera House and Bridge). It was pretty cool; once the rain died down we made our way back to the Train Station and came back to Newtown.

I guess that's enough of an update for now... Pictures to come soon I promise.

oh right... I almost forgot to say how awesome Paul Pholeros is. He is an architect that started healthabitat. A group that fixes up houses in central Australia for people living well below the poverty line. He sits on a board that deals with public housing in the national government. AND he designs some really amazing projects in China and Nepal, as well as his own house. He was really inspiring for all of us and it was great that he came to talk to us.

Tomorrow we're meeting at Constructive Dialogue (a local Architecture Firm) and then doing a design Charrette to start off our studio projects! Then later this week we're going to some art galleries and I think a book opening of Adrian's. We were going to go to the Blue Mountains this next weekend but that is getting pushed back so we can go on the ARI tour (flexibility)

anywho, I should get back to reading... have a good sunday everyone!